Waterdog Lake & Open Space

MOUNTAIN LION KILLS DISCOVERED - BEWARE. If you have a small dog, children, etc, be aware of your surroundings. I kept smelling dead deer in several locations down the ravine, along the trail, and found a disembodied deer leg placed off to the side of the path. We got caught in the woods after dusk and I picked my dog up and carried him in areas with more cover. I had no idea what I was in for with this hike, as I was brought there by a friend. It started as a moderate decline covered with chunky gravel. Slip risk. The trail had a noticeable tilt and it caused issues with my/my dog’s joints. My old dog was trying to avoid the gravel and uneven ground by walking on a high point to the right of the trail and almost tumbled down the hill. This is why you leash your dogs…I can’t recommend this for older pups with arthritis etc, even though my old dude toughed it out and definitely enjoyed being outdoors. We did the full loop around the lake, which had beautiful views. The lake is…very small with a few ducks. Quiet. Besides the views, the main event is the more narrow trail that circles back around the other side of the lake. Lots of nice bay trees in there. Watch out for insane downhill bikers. Lots of people on the trails and not much room to let them pass on that side of the lake. Little catwalks for mountain bikes (y’all are really nuts). I walked on the middle of them because they were a bit wobbly from use. My dog’s feet could easily get stuck inbetween the boards so I picked him up. My dog also struggled to get up the steeper parts of the trail and I had to carry him. I didn’t have to crawl or scoot on my butt down any parts of this walk, but I can’t recommend this for anyone with major disabilities. I had fun, but it was pretty intense for us and my bad ankle is just killing me today after this hike. If you go, definitely bring 2 hiking sticks (and bear spray). My guy friend is athletic and was surprised we attempted this with our issues. He mentioned that this was one hell of a hike for him, as a teenager, so keep that in mind. Also: no bathrooms (except for the port a potty’s at the trailhead).

This was a great hike to go on. It was easy enough to hike and the trail is mostly covered by the trees. A lot of different paths that you could take so it was a nice variety of things to see. There were a lot of people there with their dog or kids.

Dogwood Park in Belmont is a hidden gem for nature lovers and hikers. The park offers scenic views, peaceful trails, and a serene atmosphere surrounded by lush greenery. It’s a great place to escape the noise of the city, enjoy a walk, or explore with kids. The trails are moderately easy and the area is well-maintained. While there are no playgrounds or restrooms, the natural beauty makes up for it. Perfect for a quiet afternoon in nature.

There were a few scenic spots that were quite special, but it is quite a bit of work to get to them. Some of the sections of the trails are very muddy and narrow, and not to mention steep. But if you’re wearing some decent hiking shoes, and are willing to put in some effort, it can be a rewarding hike.

Great little park with a network of gravel road and single track trails. Nothing is flat, so be prepared for some serious elevation gain. As a runner, it feels like a miniature Marin Headlands.